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“So, what’s the verdict?” Seokjin asked, once Jungkook hobbled through the door.
Seokjin had been laying on the couch, waiting for his brother to come home from the hospital. He had wanted to go to the hospital with Jungkook, but his mother had made him go home instead. She said having too many people crowding a hospital waiting room would do no one any good.
So Seokjin had been anxiously waiting for Jungkook to return.
Seokjin scanned Jungkook as the younger boy shrugged off his coat.
“They said it wasn’t too bad, and it needs a bit of rest,” Jungkook told him, limping toward the couch.
Seokjin got up to help his brother to the couch, staring down at the foot in question. It was wrapped in thick white bandages, the actual foot hardly visible.
“He had to get stitches,” their mother said from the door. “And Jungkook, don’t you dare go around pretending your foot is fine. It needs some serious rest.”
Jungkook heaved out a sigh, sinking deeper into the couch. “But it feels fine.”
“I’m going to call the school,” their mother continued as if Jungkook had said nothing. She walked in front of the couch and stood in front of the two boys. “I’m informing them of your condition, then I’m calling Mrs. Walt, letting her know you won’t be able to perform this weekend.”
“No!” Jungkook shot up, sitting up ramrod straight. “My foot is fine. I can still perform, I promise.”
Their mother shook her head. “The doctors said two to three weeks of rest. I know this musical is important to you, but your health comes first, Jungkook.”
Seokjin patted Jungkook’s head in sympathy. They both knew that once their mother made up her mind about something, there was no changing it.
Their mother left the room to make the phone calls, and Jungkook returned to his slumped position.
“You can’t have Beauty and the Beast without Gaston,” Jungkook muttered.
“You can’t,” Seokjin agreed. “But Mrs. W will figure out something.”
“There’s no understudies Jin,” Jungkook stressed. “And we open next week. We’ve been in rehearsals for months. How the hell are we going to teach someone the part in six days?”
Seokjin ran a hand through Jungkook’s hair, the motion soothing some of Jungkook’s frustration. “Don’t worry about it Kook,” Seokjin comforted. “Something will be worked out.”
Jungkook let out a mad humph, but continued to unconsciously lean into the hand that Seokjin was still running through his hair.
“I know you’re disappointed cause this was your first big role,” Seokjin continued. “But with talent like yours there’ll be tons of big roles coming your way in the future. You’re only in grade 9, you have three more years of musicals ahead of you.”
“I just feel like I’m disappointing everyone,” Jungkook sighed. “I worked really hard Jin.”
“I know, Kook. I’ve seen you through this whole process. I can still remember how nervous you were at auditions.”
“A Grade 9 has never been cast as a lead before,” Jungkook reminded his brother.
Seokjin smiled. “But you worked your butt off, and it paid off. And next year you’ll work just as hard and will get an equally awesome role.”
At some point as Seokjin was talking, Jungkook got that look in his eye. That look that Seokjin was always wary of. That look that said his brother had some grand idea that Seokjin certainly would not like.
“Hey Jin,” Jungkook said in a sickeningly sweet tone.
“No.”
Jungkook pouted. “You haven’t even heard my idea yet.”
“I don’t need to,” Seokjin replied, unimpressed. “I can tell by your face that it’s not a good idea.”
Seokjin made to get off the couch, but Jungkook grabbed onto him, holding the older boy down.
“But listen,” Jungkook insisted, still in that fake sugary tone. “This one’s a really good idea. Promise.”
Seokjin sighed. “What is it?”
“Do you know who else knows my entire part?” Jungkook asked.
“Who,” Seokjin deadpanned.
“You!” Jungkook exclaimed. “You could totally do my part! You’ve literally been to all the practices.”
“I’ve been to all the practices because I’m the stage manager,” Seokjin reminded him. “Plus, you know I don’t sing.”
Jungkook scoffed. “We both know that’s a lie. Your drunken Snapchat stories are proof enough.”
Seokjin raised an eyebrow. “The operating word in that sentence being ‘drunk.’ I don’t sing. Also, I don’t dance.” Seokjin raised a hand to silence the younger. “And again, me being drunk doesn’t count.”
“You sing with me during our musical parties,” Jungkook said.
Seokjin rolled his eyes. “Those don’t count either. That’s just us goofing around.”
Jungkook mocked offence. “What do you mean goofing around? I take those thing super seriously.”
Seokjin laughed, and tried to leave the couch again, only to be pulled back down once more.
“You used to in elementary school,” Jungkook challenged.
“And I grew out of it.”
“But you totally know my part,” Jungkook persisted. “You’ve been helping me practice since the beginning of the year. If anyone has a chance of nailing the part, it’s you.”
“It’s my Grade 12 year, I’m too busy.”
Jungkook scoffed. “You’re literally only doing three classes right now, and are taking a victory lap next year. It’s not like your course load is super hard.”
“It’s not hard because I work hard to keep up with the classes,” Seokjin shoved Jungkook lightly. “Not everyone can be good at everything like you.”
“But you still found time to be the stage manager.”
“The stage manager doesn’t need to learn whole songs, and dances, and blocking.”
Jungkook rolled his eyes. “Not like you don’t have that all memorized already.”
“Hey, show some respect.”
“I do respect you,” Jungkook said. “And with the most respect possible, I think you should take over the role of Gaston. There’s absolutely no way anyone else would be able to learn it in time.”
“I can’t,” Seokjin said, with a finality in his tone that said to drop the matter.
Jungkook pouted, but allowed his brother to rise from the couch.
“I know you’re disappointed and worried, but we’ll find someone to fill in the role. Someone who’s not me. Plus, I already have a job to do during the show.”
“Don’t you always say that you have a face that’s meant to be on stage?” Jungkook challenged.
Seokjin laughed, striking a silly pose. “Yes, this face deserves the limelight!” He said dramatically. “But I can’t do that to our Belle and Beast. Once the audience catches a glimpse of this face they won’t even want me to leave the stage.”
Jungkook joined Seokjin in laughter. “You’re such a nerd.”
Seokjin merely winked, and left the room to find their mother.
Jungkook watched his brother leave, with gears spinning in his head.
Seokjin was going to take up the role of Gaston, Jungkook would make sure of it.
…
Chat Name: Schuyler Sisters
Kook: yo! who wants to help me with my latest scheme?
Chim: JUNGKOOK!
Chim: YOU’RE BACK FROM THE HSOPITAL!
Chim: *HOSPITAL
Chim: HOWS THE FOOT?
Tae: JUNGKOOK!!!!!!!!
Tae: MY SON IS BACK FROM THE WAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kook: Lool
Kook: the foot is fine
Kook: there’s good news and bad news
Tae: Isn’t there always
Chim: I’m glad your foot’s ok Kookie!
Chim: What’s up?
Kook: …
Kook: i wouldn’t necessarily say the foot is okay
Chim: You literally just said your foot is fine.
Kook: that might have been a slight exaggeration
Tae: Did it have to be amputated?
Tae: Rest in peace Jungkook’s right foot.
Tae: You will be sorely missed.
Kook: my foot is fine. I just can’t really put weight on it
Chim: So you can’t do the musical.
Kook: So I can’t be in the musical
Kook: Lol yeah
Chim: Once again. I wouldn’t call that fine.
Kook: not fine then
Kook: but I’m generally ok
Kook: I still have my foot attached to my body
Tae: Thank goodness!!!!!!!!!!
Kook: but yeah
Kook: bad news
Kook: I can’t be in the musical
Tae: :(
Tae: That sucks Kook. I know how hard you worked for your part.
Chim: Yeah, that sucks. Sorry Jungkook.
Kook: yeah it sucks. But good news
Kook: I know who can be my replacement
Tae: Who??????????
Chim: who?
Kook: Seokjin!!
Chim: But he doesn’t sing?
Tae: or dance.
Kook: you would think that
Kook: but
Tae: JK has been gone for a bit. You think he fell asleep in the middle of texting us.
Chim: Lol, probs.
Kook: Kook has uploaded a video
Tae: IS THAT JIN!!!!!!!!! HE CAN SING!!!!!!!!
Chim: Why didn’t we know Jin could sing.
Chim: WHY IS HE OUR STAGE MANAGER IF HE CAN SING LIKE THAT!
Kook: all good questions.
Kook: but the main thing is
Kook: Jin pretty much knows my whole part
Kook: he’s been practicing with me since the start of reshersals
Chim: *rehearsals
Kook: shut up
Tae: OPERATION GET JIN TO SING!
Kook: loool
Kook: glad you’re on board Tae
Chim: This could be fun.
Chim: What’s the plan?
Tae: Let’s just show that video to Mrs. W
Tae: I bet she’ll be so relieved that the part will be filled that she won’t even fight us on this.
Kook: I’m not worried about Mrs. W
Kook: I’m worried about getting Jin to do this
Kook: for some reason Jin keeps saying he can’t sing
Kook: the real challenge is getting Jin to sing
Tae: OPERATION GET JIN TO SING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chim: You got a plan Kook?
Kook: maybe
Chim: So no then.
Kook: … no
Chim: Leave the plan to us!
Tae: Why do I have the feeling that Jimin is smiling evilly at his phone.
Chim :)
Chim: Once you get to grade 10 like us you’ll be able to think up genius plans too.
Chim: Don’t worry, your baby brain will catch up soon.
Tae: LOL
Kook: rude
Kook: ok then
Kook: operation get jin to sing is a go
…
All eyes were on Seokjin as he entered the music room.
Seokjin looked behind him to see if someone was behind him, but no, they were looking at him.
“Jin!” Hoseok yelled across the room running toward Seokjin. “Why didn’t you tell us!”
“Tell you what?” Seokjin asked confused.
“Calm down Hobi,” Yoongi said as he walked up to the pair with Namjoon in tow. “But yeah, why didn’t you tell us?”
“Tell you what?” Seokjin asked again. “I have no clue what you are talking about.”
There was a beat of silence as the group stared at each other. Seokjin trying to puzzle out what the trio was yelling about, and if whatever that was, was the reason everyone was still sneaking looks at him.
It was Namjoon who finally broke the silence. “Mrs. W just told us that you’re going to fill in for Gaston.”
“What!” Seokjin panicked. “No, I’m not! Why would she say that?”
The trio looked confused.
“So, you’re not going to fill the role?” Yoongi questioned.
“Of course not,” Seokjin snapped. Why would they even think that? What on earth would make anyone think that he would take up Jungkook’s role.
“Then why are Jungkook, Taehyung, and Jimin telling everyone that you already know the part?” Hoseok asked.
“They have a video and everything,” Hoseok added.
Seokjin could feel his neck and ears turning red.
Seokjin was going to kill those kids. He didn’t even care that their deaths would mean that they needed to fill in two more roles. He was going to kill them, then he was going to bash his own head with a rock. “I’m going to kill them,” He muttered.
“What was that?” Namjoon said.
“Nothing,” Seokjin chirped, plastering a smile on his face. “Hey. Where are those kids? I want to have a little chat with them.”
Something about the look on Seokjin’s face made his friends hesitate.
“Why do I feel like I’ll need to help you hide a body if we tell you,” Yoongi said, eyes narrow.
Seokjin kept the sickly-sweet smile on his face. “Oh, it’ll be more than one body.”
The trio exchanged glances, but before Seokjin could force a location out of the trio, Mrs. W walked into the room.
“Seokjin,” She called out, and Seokjin begrudgingly turned to face her.
“Yes, Mrs. W?”
“Can we have a talk in my office, please?”
Seokjin nodded, and followed her out of the room, but not before shooting a pleading look at his friends.
They just shot him matching supportive smiles, and thumbs up. Traitors.
Mrs. W’s office was covered in stacks of paper. Sheet music for the musical, but also the vocal class, and the senior bands. There was only one open chair, and that’s where Seokjin hesitantly took a seat when Mrs. W told him to have a seat.
Mrs. W shuffled some papers around, and was able to uncover another chair, and took a seat facing Seokjin.
“So,” Mrs. W started. “I heard that you want to take the role of Gaston.”
“I really don’t.” Seokjin said in panic. “I’m not sure where you heard that from, but I really don’t want the part.”
“Hmmm,” Mrs. W said. “That’s what Park Jimin said you might say.”
“Jimin?”
“Yes,” Mrs. W confirmed. “He, Jungkook, and Taehyung came in to my office earlier today saying that you wanted the part, but wouldn’t say anything in respect for your brother. It’s unfortunate, that Jungkook will be unable to perform with us.”
“It is,” Seokjin agreed. “He was really looking forward to performing.”
“They said you already knew the part,” Mrs. W continued.
“I mean, I’m the stage manager. I know everyone’s part.”
“Yes,” Mrs. W agreed. “But you specifically know Gaston’s part. Jungkook showed me a video of you dancing and singing Me perfectly.”
Seokjin racked his brain to where that video could have come from. He often sang to himself as he was preparing dinner, but only when no one was around. Jungkook must have snuck in recorded him.
“That was just me being silly in the kitchen,” Seokjin stated. “I really can’t do the part.”
“Okay Seokjin,” Mrs. W said seriously. “We open in five days. Could we find someone to play the role, probably. But it’ll be much easier for us all if that person already knew the musical, and you, Seokjin, know this musical.”
Seokjin spluttered. Yes, he did know the musical inside and out. He knew Gaston’s role even better due to the countless hours he spent helping Jungkook get ready. However, he still hesitated in agreeing with Mrs. W. Agreeing would mean being made to play Gaston, and that was really a bad idea.
“If I’m Gaston, then you’ll be down a stage manager,” Seokjin argued. “My job is kind of important. The show can’t run without it.”
“True,” Mrs. W agreed. “But it’s much easier training a person to call mics and lights, then it is to teach someone completely new the music, and the blocking, and the dances for our second male lead. I could fill in as stage manager. With the kind of notes that you’ve taken, it would be easy.”
There was a silence where Mrs. W stared at Seokjin expectantly.
“I don’t think I can do this,” Seokjin sighed.
Mrs. W gave him a sympathetic smile. “I know this seems scary and hard, but I think you’ll be great. You sang great in that video I saw, and you’re a natural actor Seokjin.”
Seokjin let out a small “Thanks.”
“Plus,” Mrs. W added. “Think of all the hard work the cast has put in. You’re out best shot in having this run go as smooth as possible,”
Seokjin sighed. “I guess.”
“Good,” Mrs. W smiled. “We’ll do our planned run through today, given how much you know. I’ll get Hoseok to go over all the dances and the fight choreo with you, and Jungkook said he’ll help make sure you’re ready by Tuesday for our filmed dress.”
Seokjin let out a squeak, not knowing what to say. There seemed to be no changing Mrs. W’s mind. Seokjin took a deep breath, steeling his nerves.
“Okay fine,” Seokjin relented. “Let’s see how today goes before you decide you want to sign me on.”
Mrs. W let out a relieved smile. “That’s amazing Seokjin! Thank you. You’ll be amazing, I just know it.”
Seokjin tried to match her enthusiastic smile, but the butterflies in his stomach were getting in the way.
…
Rehearsal wasn’t horrible.
It wasn’t good. But it also wasn’t the complete train wreck that Seokjin was expecting.
Seokjin knew the part surprising well. His castmates kept coming up to him between scenes trying to help fill him in on what would happen next, but Seokjin already knew. He surprised himself with how much he actually knew.
His weakest points were the dances. He stumbled through like a drunken newborn giraffe. He knew where he was supposed to be in formation, and knew vaguely what the steps were, but spent most of the dances in a confused mess, standing stock still.
Seokjin however, was still mortified. There was a reason that he had never auditioned for a school musical.
Yes, you could say that he had a good singing voice, but it was nothing compared to Jungkook’s. Seokjin couldn’t help but compare himself to his younger brother. Everything Seokjin could do, Jungkook could do much better.
Seokjin used to audition for every musical in choir back in elementary school. Somewhere along the way Jungkook had caught Seokjin’s love for musicals and started auditioning. And well, once the shy quiet boy finally opened his mouth to sing, everyone who heard him was instantly enamoured.
It seemed almost natural for Seokjin to step back and let Jungkook fly. Seokjin was a good singer, but definitely not the best one out there. Definitely not as good as Jungkook. Plus. Seokjin couldn’t stand the remarks comparing them.
Seokjin was more than happy playing a supporting role. As long as he was still a part of the production in some way, he was content.
By the time Seokjin hit high school, hardly anyone remembered that he used to perform. He had become friends with the rest of the production team, and loved every minute of it.
In his four years of high school no one had ever asked him to perform.
Seokjin was happy with his backstage role.
So why did Jungkook have to volunteer him to be on stage?
…
“Thanks again for helping me run through everything,” Seokjin said as he followed Hoseok into the dance studio.
“It’s no problem at all,” Hoseok said cheerily. “Plus, it’s literally my job.”
“Even though it is your job, I’m still grateful.” Seokjin said earnestly. “Sorry for using up your weekend like this.”
“Don’t worry so much Jin,” Hoseok smiled, and Seokjin felt just the teensiest bit better. Hoseok had that effect on people. When Hoseok wasn’t in scary dance teacher mode he always found a way to lighten the mood. “This will be fun. I wouldn’t have agreed to be choreographer if I wasn’t willing to put in the work.”
Seokjin smiled. It was a huge relief when Hoseok said he was free to help Seokjin run through all the dances in the show. It would certainly help with his lack of dancing ability.
“So, which dances are you having the most trouble with?” Hoseok asked as he flipped on the studio’s lights, then walked over to the stereo to drop his bag.
Seokjin trailed behind him hesitantly. He had never felt comfortable in the dance studio. Not like Jungkook who had found the studio to be his second home. Maybe the was the harsh lighting, and the mirrors that seemed to illuminate every flaw was what unsettled him.
“Ummm, honestly everything,” Seokjin admitted. “But Mob Song or Gaston probably needs the most work.
“We’ll start with Gaston then,” Hoseok said, connecting his phone to the studio’s sound system. “Let’s see how the song looks first.”
They spent the first hour going over Gaston’s choreography. It was hard to see how the dance looked without the rest of the cast, but Seokjin was able to perform the whole dance without hesitant pauses, so they moved to the next song.
The Mob Song was not as bad as Seokjin said it was. It helped that he was offstage during most of the battle, and only came in at the end. What was really giving him trouble was his fight at the end. That whole fight required him to be precise and on time, to make sure that they stayed lit and no one got hurt. The cast definitely didn’t need more injuries.
Seokjin and Hoseok were breaking for lunch when Jimin and Taehyung walked into the studio.
“Hey guys,” Jimin called out dropping his bag, then plopping down where Seokjin and Hoseok was sitting. “How’s it going?”
Taehyung sat beside Jimin with a nod hello before reaching for some of the chips Seokjin had for his lunch.
“Hey!” Seokjin yelped, snatching the bag away. “Did you just come to steal food?”
“Wouldn’t be the first time,” Hoseok mumbled into his sandwich, but Seokjin could see he was smiling.
“We came to help!” Taehyung smiled.
“I came to help,” Jimin corrected. “Taehyung came because he was bored.”
“And I wanted to help,” Taehyung insisted.
“Jimin was my extra body when I was choreographing most of the musical,” Hoseok explained. “He knows Belle’s whole part in Me.”
“Oh cool,” Seokjin said. Honestly, he still didn’t fully forgive the trio for volunteering him to take this part. As much as he appreciated Jimin’s offered help, Seokjin didn’t know if he could get through it without also needing a shovel by the end.
Jungkook, however, wouldn’t forgive him if he did murder his best friends, and that was their only saving grace.
“From what I’ve seen,” Hoseok said, bring Seokjin out of his murderous thoughts. “You know the choreo for Me, you’re just awkward with dancing with another person.”
“Not as awkward as Jungkook was,” Seokjin grumbled.
Taehyung scoffed. “No one can be as awkward as Jungkook was with our lovely Belle.”
“And practicing with Jimin helped him through that,” Hoseok explained, setting up chairs that would act as Belle’s house.
“I make a lovely Belle,” Jimin said seriously.
“I’m sure you do,” Seokjin muttered, getting himself into position.
The first run of the song went pretty well except for the awkward space between Seokjin and Jimin the whole dance.
“Don’t be scared to really grab me Jin,” Jimin said once the music had been turned off. “It makes it much harder for Belle to do her part if you’re keeping her at arm’s length and not fully supporting her.”
“But isn’t it too… I don’t know. Rough?” Seokjin sighed. “I don’t want to hurt her.”
“I promise you, you won’t,” Hoseok said. “But Jimin is right. You have the dance. What’s off is that you’re scared to touch Belle. Being scared to touch Belle defeats the purpose of the song. You’re supposed to be all over her.”
“I guess,” Seokjin mumbled.
“Don’t guess,” Hoseok commanded. “Really go for it. I can see your hesitation, and it doesn’t work for the song.”
“Yeah Jin,” Taehyung piped up from the nest of jackets he had made for himself in the corner. “You’re normally so confident. Bring that confidence to the stage.”
Seokjin let out a steadying breath.
He was easy for him to fake confidence while doing things he knew he was good at. It was a whole other story when doing something he knew he wasn’t the best at.
“Okay,” Seokjin said. “Let’s try it again. I’ll really grab you this time.”
Jimin wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. “Sweep me off my feet, Mr. Gaston.”
Hoseok started the song again.
Seokjin and Jimin danced through the intro to the song, then linked arms as Seokjin mustered up the most condescending tone possible and started singing.
“You’ve been dreaming just one dream, nearly all your life. Hoping, scheming, just one theme: Will you be a wife?” Spin Jimin out. “Will you be some he-man's property?” Brush Jimin off. “Good news! That he-man's me!”
Step and block Jimin. And again. Let Jimin walk away, then pull him back into your side.
“This equation, girl plus man, doesn't help just you. On occasion, women can, have their uses too.” Manhandle Jimin so they are standing side by side. “Mainly to extend the family tree.” Gesture off into the distance, then dip Jimin. “Pumpkin, extend with me!” Get really close to Jimin’s face, then back off.
“We'll be raising sons galore.” Keep Jimin in a dip.
Taehyung chimed in Belle’s parts from his nest in an exasperated falsetto, “ Inconceivable!”
“Each built six foot four!” Bring Jimin up from the dip.
“Unbelievable!” Taehyung sang.
Pick up Jimin and carry him over your shoulder. “ Each stuffed with ev'ry Gaston gene!”
“I'm not hearing this!” Taehyung screeched, causing Jimin to giggle from over Seokjin’s shoulder.
“You'll be keeping house with pride!” Turn around carrying Jimin.
“Just incredible!”
Drop Jimin and let him stumble. “Oh, so gratified.”
“ So unweddable!” Taehyung and Jimin yelled together, but Jimin words got cut off from Seokjin roughly pulling back in.
Lead Jimin back to the center, grabbing his shoulders. “That you are a part of this idyllic scene.”
With his most Gastonly Gaston voice, Seokjin placed Jimin in front of him and gestured out to their imaginary audience. “Picture this.” Talk over Jimin right shoulder. “A rustic hunting lodge, my latest kill roasting over the fire, my little wife massaging my feet, while the little ones play on the floor with the dogs.” Change shoulders. “We'll have six or seven!”
“Dogs?” Jimin said in a high pitched Belle voice.
“No, Belle!” Seokjin struck a pose. “Strapping boys...like me!” Slide towards Jimin, and grab his side and dip him.
“I can see that we will share, all that love implies.” Sit Jimin down on the bench. “We shall be a perfect pair,” Right foot on Jimin’s lap, flexing. “Rather like my thighs.” Slap thighs, and lean into Jimin. “You are face to face with destiny!”
Jump back and strike a dramatic pose. “All roads lead to...” Another dramatic pose starting and Jimin. “The best things in life are...” Seokjin pulled Jimin up from the bench and into his side. “All's well that ends with me!”
Stop Jimin from walking away, and force a hug from behind. “Escape me? There's no way.” Walk with Jimin still behind. “Certain as "Do, Re,"
Spin around and face Jimin, “Belle, when you marry....” This time in a spoken voice. “So Belle, what will it be? Is it "yes", or is it "oh, yes"?”
Jimin tried to deadpan the answer, but couldn’t keep a straight face. “I...I just don't deserve you!”
Seokjin held back a smile as he said his last line. “Who does?” He then turned back to the imaginary audience, and belted his last note. “ Me!”
As soon as the last note was sung, Taehyung and Hoseok burst into a round of applause, and Jimin joined them.
Seokjin gave an embarrassed bow, his face red not only from exhaustion.
“Do it just like that every time now,” Hoseok told him. “That was perfect.”
“Was that how Jungkook did it?” Seokjin asked.
“No,” Hoseok said. “But that’s okay. It’s your own spin on the song. No one is expecting you to do it exactly like Jungkook did it.”
Seokjin frowned, but Hoseok was moving on before Seokjin could raise a concern.
“There’s not much dancing in it,” Hoseok said, rearranging the chairs. “But let’s go over Maison des Lunes. Taehyung, you can even be a body in this one.”
“Yay!” Taehyung said jumping up from his nest.
Seokjin smiled at the younger’s excitement.
Seokjin made a mental note to check in with Jungkook to make sure their choreo was the same, and he got ready for the new scene.
…
“Wait. How did you do it again?” Seokjin asked, once he finished singing through Gaston.
Seokjin and Jungkook had been holed up in one of the solo music practice rooms. Seokjin was singing through the show, and Jungkook was helping him make sure that he was doing it right.
“It doesn’t matter how I did it,” Jungkook replied. “As long as you have the melody and words down, emphasize it however you like.
“You literally spent a month with Mrs. W mapping out enunciation, and emphasis, and where you can riff,” Seokjin frowned, looking at Jungkook’s sheet music notes. “You emphasized ‘hits’ and ‘wits’, am I also supposed to emphasize ‘spitting’? Or like is there no emphasis in that phrase?”
“Dude, just sing it however you want. You’ve got the songs down. Don’t worry so much.”
Seokjin let out a noise on frustration. “But I want to know how you did it. Just sing it for me again?”
“You don’t have to copy everything I did,” Jungkook repeated. “Do your own thing.”
“I don’t want to do my own thing, I want to do it like how you did it. I like how you did it.”
Jungkook was silent as he stared at Seokjin with an serious expression. As the silence dragged on, Seokjin begin fidgeting with the edges of the sheet music in front of him.
“Stop looking at me like that,” Seokjin said.
“Do you know why I started auditioning for school musicals?” Jungkook finally said.
“Why?” Seokjin sighed, and closed the book of sheet music. It didn’t look like Jungkook was going to help him with this.
“Because I saw you on stage, and it was the coolest thing I’d had ever seen,” Jungkook answered earnestly.
Seokjin let out an uncomfortable laugh. “You must not have seen much if that that was the coolest thing you’d had seen.
“I really admired you, Jin,” Jungkook pressed on. “And I was really sad when you stopped performing.”
Seokjin shrugged. “I guess I found something else I liked better.”
It was Jungkook’s turn to shrugged. “But you loved performing! I don’t understand why you aren’t happy about this. What happened?”
Seokjin did not know where the sudden candor came from, but he found himself unable to lie.
“Look Jungkook, at some point I realised that I wasn’t as good as everyone expected me to be, and I hated that.”
“Who cares what other people think?” Jungkook scoffed.
“I care what other people think,” Seokjin took a moment to reel himself back in. “People like how you sing Gaston, so can you just tell me how you did this?”
Jungkook paused, frowning. “No.”
Seokjin opened his mouth, then closed it again. Trying to process Jungkook’s refusal. “What do you mean no? You promised that you’d help me prepare for this. You’re the one that got me into this mess.”
“You have the words and the melody down,” Jungkook said, standing up from here he had been sitting, and grabbing his backpack. “Like I said, that’s all you need. From there you need to find your own style while singing the song.”
“But I don’t have a style,” Seokjin stated.
“Then find one.”
Jungkook slung the backpack onto his back, and made to exit.
“You’re the worst and I hate you,” Seokjin called out when Jungkook opened the door to leave.
Jungkook turned around and smirked. “No you don’t!” Then he left the room.
Seokjin stared at the closed book of sheet music, and opened it again, back to Gaston.
He let out a long breath, then turned back to the piano to run it again.
…
“What did you think of our dress rehearsal?” Seokjin asked Yoongi as they were walking home from school together.
“It went surprisingly smoothly for a final dress.” Yoongi answered. “No one forgot their parts, and the harmonies sounded tight. What more can a music director ask for?” Yoongi turned his head to look at Seokjin. “How are you feeling? Nervous?”
“Extremely,” Seokjin admitted. “I felt like I was going to throw up the whole time.”
“You sounded good,” Yoongi said. Like it was a fact. Like how Yoongi stated most of his opinions about the way their music sounded. “We couldn’t have asked for a better replacement.”
Seokjin scoffed, but chose not to mention the list of better replacements he had been compiling since he was forced into this role.
“I can’t wait for this year to be over,” Seokjin said. “Then next year I can go back to being behind the curtain. It will be weird though, since you’re graduating and won’t be around.”
Yoongi let out a laugh. “Like Mrs. W would let you going back to being the stage manager after she found out you can sing like you do. You know how desperate we are for more male singers. There’s no way she would let you not sing next year.”
“I don’t get it,” Seokjin said. “Why does everyone keep telling me that I should keep performing? You guys have never actually seen me in a show. For all you know I’m going to blank tomorrow, and forget all my lines.”
“But you won’t,” Yoongi insisted. “Because you’ve been practicing, and even though you’ve physically been rehearsing for the last week, you’ve been in rehearsals with us since the beginning and know the show like the back of your hand.”
Seokjin opened his mouth to protest, but Yoongi continued on. “I know you’re scared of not measuring up, but as soon as you can stop comparing yourself to Jungkook, you’re going to realize that no one else is comparing the two of you but yourself. And once you stop comparing yourself to Jungkook, you’re going to find performing to be a lot more fun.”
Seokjin thought about Yoongi’s words, and knew the other was right. He was letting his fear of comparison get in the way of what should something fun. He needed to find the joy in performing again if he was going to make it through the week.
“What am I going to do without my wise best friend next year?” Seokjin said, latching onto Yoongi’s arm. “Imagine if the rest of the cast could see their scary music director being all soft.”
“Shhh, noooo!” Yoongi grumbled. “Them fearing me is the only reason they all learnt their parts. Except Taehyung, who doesn’t listen to me when I tell him that he lets his French accent get in the way of his solo in Belle.”
“I’m going to miss you when you leave,” Seokjin said.
Yoongi mumbled something under his breath that sounded like “I’ll miss you too.” Then at a more audible volume he said. “If I don’t see you on stage next year, I don’t care in what part, I’m going to riot.”
Seokjin laughed. “I would love to see you riot.”
Yoongi frowned. “Let’s worry about the future later. For now, you need to go home and sleep, and get ready for tomorrow. No more practicing, music director’s orders.”
“Okay wise director.” Seokjin giggled. “As you wish.”
…
It was opening night. 30 minutes to places, and Seokjin was a mess.
His stomach was in knots, he was blanking on all his words, and he was freaking out.
The backstage hallways were filled with his cast, and he honestly couldn’t deal with that right now.
So Seokjin went to the safest place he knew in the theater, the little enclave behind the stage manager’s booth. Seokjin was in Grade 10 when he first discovered it. It had been a really rough day of rehearsals, and he just needed space from the cast for a few minutes. He had accidentally bumped into the stage manager’s booth, and noticed the hidden gap in the wall.
Throughout his time in the theater, Seokjin had turned that space into his little hideout whenever he needed… well, space.
Now that he was in Grade 12 Seokjin was way too big to fit in the space. Yet if he pulled the stage manager’s booth out a bit, and hooked a blanket on the wall, then to the booth, he could make it work.
It had been five minutes since Seokjin crawled into his hideout, which at this point wasn’t really a hideout, when he heard Jungkook’s voice from over him.
“Why are you under a blanket?”
Seokjin poked his head out to see his younger brother staring down at him, balancing on his crutches. “Why are you here?”
“I’m your new stage manager!” Jungkook exclaimed.
“Really?”
Jungkook nodded. “I figured by being the stage manager I wouldn’t have to move much during the show, and that way I could still be part of the production.”
Seokjin nodded. He felt guilty that he didn’t know that Jungkook took his role of stage manager, but he had been so busy in his own preparations in the last week that Seokjin barely had time to focus on anything that wasn’t Gaston-related. “I’m glad you found a way to still be in the production, Kook.”
Jungkook smiled. “Me too.” He looked out on the stage, then back at Seokjin before crouching, and wiggling himself under the blanket. “That way I can see your high school musical theatre stage debut!”
“I mean,” Seokjin corrected. “You won’t be able to see much. You’ll mostly be staring at the book, calling mics and lights and stuff.”
“Yeah,” Jungkook said. “But I’ll get to hear you.” There was a pause, then, “Are you ready?”
Seokjin let out a weak laugh. “If I wasn’t, would you hop back into the show?”
“No,” Jungkook smiled. “You’ve got this. You’ve been ready since I forced you to take this role.”
Seokjin scoffed. “Sure.”
“You have!” Jungkook insisted. “You just needed a little push.” Then quieter. “Are you still mad at me?”
Seokjin sighed. “I should be, but no. I can never stay mad at you. You’re too cute.” Seokjin ruffled Jungkook’s hair to squawks of protest.
“Jin, no!”
The pair fake wrestled for a few minutes before straightening themselves up.
“You’re going to crush it tonight,” Jungkook said seriously. “You’re going to be so amazing Jin, I know it!”
“Thanks Kook,” Seokjin said earnestly. “I’ll make you proud.”
“You’ll make yourself proud.”
The pair spent a moment in silence, enjoying each other’s presences before Jungkook pushed Seokjin off to the side cauesing the older to topple over. “Now go put on your costume. It’s 10 minutes to places, and I know from experience that wig takes at least 5.”
“Alright, alright, I’m going.” Seokjin said getting up and brushing himself off.
“Break a leg, Jin!” Jungkook called out after the older.
Seokjin smiled to himself. Yes, he was going to be okay.
…
The shows all passed in a blur with no major problems.
There was that one night they forgot to switch out the rose at intermission. So the angsty monologue about the rose losing its petals lost its meaning a bit. Then there was the night where they popped the confetti cannons right in Jimin’s eye at the end of Be Our Guest, but he was fine by the start of Act Two.
But the important part was, none of that was Seokjin’s fault.
Seokjin didn’t forget his lines, or fall on his face. The elementary school kids at the school show even booed him, which was really the highest compliment when playing a Disney villain.
Overall it was a good run.
Not perfect, but good.
Seokjin was proud of himself for doing it, and maybe even a little thankful for being forced into the role.
Seokjin was at the cast party before he really felt like he was out of the show haze that had lasted all week. It finally began to sink in that he actually did it, and did it pretty darn well if he did say so himself.
“You did it!” Namjoon said sneaking up behind Seokjin.
Seokjin smiled. “I did.”
Namjoon gave a wide dimpled smile. “I missed being the backstage crew with you, but I’m glad you got to step into the limelight.” Namjoon patted Seokjin on the shoulder. “Don’t let it get to your head.”
“What do you mean?” Seokjin faked offence. “I don’t need a part to know how amazing I am.”
Namjoon laughed. “I hope you audition next year. Did you hear what musical we’re doing?”
“What?”
Before Namjoon could answer the terror trio came bounding towards them. The terror trio is how Seokjin referred to Jungkook, Taehyung, and Jimin. Individually they were fine. In pairs, they were bearable. But all together, you’d better run for cover.
“JIN!” Taehyung yelled, because when he was excited he had to use his outside voice. “YOU DID IT!!! WE’RE SO PROUD!!! We have no regrets!!”
Seokjin narrowed his eyes. “As much as I actually enjoyed myself, I’m still not completely over the idea of wanting to hide your dead bodies.”
“But Jin,” Jimin said with the most angelic smile on his face. A smile that signaled that the gears in that devious little mind of his was turning. “You won’t murder Jungkook.”
“Right!” Taehyung chimed in “And Jungkook will protect us!”
Seokjin turned to Jungkook as if considering.
“Mom won’t forgive you,” Jungkook said seriously.
Seokjin made a show of weighing his options. “I guess I won’t do anything.”
The terror trio smiled and all latched onto Seokjin.
“But if you guys do something like that again,” Seokjin warned. “I will be out for blood.”
“We won’t have to do anything next year,” Jimin smiled. “Mrs. W will do all the work for us.”
Taehyung nodded from his spot on Seokjin’s left shoulder. “She’s already excited about our next year’s musical and we’ve barely wrapped up this one.
“What is it?” Seokjin asked, but was meet with shrugs from the youngest three.
“All we know is she’s excited,” Jungkook said. “She says we have to wait till it’s official announced to the school.”
“And that’s in, like, forever,” Taehyung grumbled.
Seokjin inconspicuously looked over at Namjoon, who raised a finger to his lips and mouthed, I’ll tell you later .
“Well that’s something to look forward to then,” Seokjin said. “But enough about the future. Let’s celebrate the amazing job I did.”
“Well someone’s full of themselves,” Yoongi said, joining the group with Hoseok in tow. “You’re definitely singing a different tune then you were a few days ago.”
“I few days ago I hadn’t finished performing five shows,” Seokjin said. “Now that it’s all over I feel great. Also, Jungkook will finally be able to use his foot again and I don’t have to do all his chores.”
“I never said you had to do my chores Jin,” Jungkook insisted. “I just said that they would have to wait till my foot got better.”
“And we were going to wait three weeks before we washed the dishes, or did laundry, like that would have gone well.”
“Not with that attitude it wouldn’t have,” Jungkook challenged.
Seokjin was about to retort, but was interrupted by a loud commotion at the other end of the room.
“IN THE HEIGHTS!” A voice yelled. “WE’RE DOING IN HEIGHTS NEXT YEAR?!”
“Well I guess the cat’s out of the bag,” Namjoon muttered.
The terror trio shot each other a look, with matching grins across their face. Seokjin got that sinking feeling in his stomach, but it settled when he saw that the trio wasn’t looking at him.
“Hey Namjoon,” Jimin started, that angelic smiled back on his face.
“Hey Jimin,” Namjoon said exasperated, knowing what to expect.
“Do you know what the lead of In the Heights needs,” Taehyung picked up from what Jimin left off. It was kind of scary how in sync they all were.
“Is the answer rapping?” Namjoon deadpanned.
It was Jungkook who jumped in this time. “Why yes, you’re right Namjoon.”
“Hey! I just had an idea,” Taehyung said in a tone that clearly said that this was not a new idea at all. “Do you want you’re really good at Namjoon?”
Namjoon sighed. “If you’re going to say rapping, and I should audition, don’t worry, I’m already planning to.”
“You’re good at rapping!” Jimin exclaimed, then looked at the other two in confusion. “Wait. That didn’t take any convincing.”
“You think I’m going to pass up the chance to rap something that the legendary Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote, you’re sorely mistaken,” Namjoon said. “It would be an honour to rap anything that man wrote.”
“Oh,” The terror trio looked at each other, as if confused what to do now, before they all turned to face Seokjin.
“Hey Jin,” Jungkook said.
“No,” Seokjin stopped them before they got even further.
“What do you mean no,” Jimin protested. “You don’t even know what we were going to say.”
“Yes, I do,” Seokjin said. “Please leave a message and Seokjin will get back to you in five to seven business days after the show.” There was pause before Seokjin added. “Let me just revel in my accomplishments of this show before throwing me into the next.”
“I can’t believe you’re doing In the Heights the year after I’ve graduated,” Yoongi grumbled.
“You can always stick around for another year,” Hoseok suggested.
Yoongi let out a dry laugh. “There is no way I am staying for another unnecessary year of high school. I promise to come watch the production, though. Mrs. W might even convince me to come back to play the piano for it.”
“Yo!” Hoseok exclaimed, almost bouncing. “This is going to be so much fun to choreograph to! It’s going to be so good guys! I get to break out my Latin dance skills.”
“Can I help you with the choreo again Hoseok?” Jimin asked.
“I would love that, Jimin!”
Hoseok and Jimin then went off onto choreography ideas, occasionally bouncing excitedly, and occasionally doing a body roll of two.
“You did it,” Jungkook said quietly to Seokjin. “I’m proud of you.”
Seokjin smiled to himself. “I’m proud of me too. Thank you for believing I could do this.”
“You were so cool Jin!” Jungkook told him, and Seokjin laughed.
“I guess I was,” Seokjin gave Jungkook a stern look. “But no injuries next year.”
“Oh, trust me Jin,” Jungkook said seriously. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”